[Woodcarver] Re: Tool History

[Victor Hamburger]

> "hotchkin woodcarving" <hwoodcarving at sktc.net>

>  

> I am looking for some history on a tool mfg.The name of the mfg. is Buck 

> bros. Riverlin works, they were established in 1853 in Millbury, Mass. I 

> had young man bring a woodcarving set that he said had belonged to his 

> uncle, wanting to sell them to me.I am trying to find out how old this 

> set of tools are.The box they are in has the trade mark of a Buck deer & 

> a set # 606 on it. If anyone has any information on this company, I 

> would like to know more about them.

> Thank you, Kris Hotchkin  


Hi Kris,

Buck Bros is a very old tool mfr here in Massachusetts.  Don't confuse them with 
the current Buck Bros tools, they are cheap imports that have little in common 
with the old Buck bros tools.  The company was sold, and like so many others, 
the product line moved overseas to become a low price/not quality tool line.

That said, the old BB stuff is usually excellent, among the most sought after 
name in chisels and other edge tools.  Try contacting Pat Leach at 
http://www.supertool.com/ and ask him what a fair price would be in his 
estimation.  He has probably sold more old tools than most of us have ever seen. 
    Be prepared to give him a list of tools in the set, general condition, and 
age if you know that.  He may be able to give you a ballpark figure to work on. 
  Tell him I recommended him to you, I used to work with Pat years back.

Beyond that, there are a number of internet discussion groups, etc that deal in 
old tools. try these:
http://homepage.mac.com/galoot_9/galtprog.html
http://homepage.mac.com/galoot_9/the_porch.html

I did a quick search via Google but didn't hit any matches for Buck Bros and 
that tool #.  Just searching for "Buck Bros" and "old tools" will likely get you 
enough websites to keep you reading for a few hours!

Hope this helps,	Vic Hamburger